Learn to sew a pouf

• How to sew your own piping
• How to insert a zip (standard or invisible)
• How to finish off raw edges neatly using a zig zag stitch or overcast foot. The overlocker will be available for you to use if you are familiar with an overlocker and confident using it.

• Paper templates for the pouf which will be sent out in advance of the class.
• Full tuition in order to make your garment

• Fabric  – it is recommended to use a sturdy, medium to heavyweight fabric.  You can use lighter weight fabric if you interface them first – in which case you will need enough fusible interfacing to interface your fabric pieces.
• 1 x 22″ zipper (an invisible zipper or regular one)
• Machine thread
• Optional – piping cord and fabric for piping
• Lunch – please bring lunch to have or feel free to visit one of the shops or cafes in Knowle.

Bookings

Introduction to patchwork and quilting

• What materials and equipment you will need in order to make a quilt
• How to cut fabric pieces accurately using a rotary wheel, quilting ruler and self healing mat
• How to use an even feed/walking foot
• How to piece squares together accurately to make your sample topper
• How to layer your quilt sampler together to prepare for the quilting stage
• How to quilt your sample with a simple design
• How to make your own quilt binding
• How to bind your quilt sampler using the sewing machine and by hand
• How to sew a mitred corner

• White bias binding for quilt binding
• Wadding
• White backing fabric
• Machine thread
• Use of Janome sewing machines and tools including rotary cutters, quilting rulers and self healing mats.
• Photographic handout of the skills learnt in the workshop will be emailed to you after the class

• Fabric squares for the patchwork front. You will need 9 squares of 4.5″ x 4.5″. Scraps of fabric or fat quarters would be ideal. You could have 9 different fabrics or as a minimum you could have 4 of one design and 5 of another.

Children’s sewing class –

Learn to sew fabric bookmarks

This class is ideal for children who have never used a sewing machine before or if they don't feel that confident. Time will be spent at the beginning going through how to use the machine and practising. If your child has used a machine before then they will be able to crack on with the project and have more time to create!

In this children’s sewing class, you will learn how to make some fabulous fabric bookmarks.  Be inspired, unleash your creativity and learn a fantastic skill at the same time. There are 2 types of bookmarks and each one can be completely unique as you can customise them as you wish.

For children in Year 5 and above.

Equipment and Materials:

• Janome sewing machines and basic sewing tools provided to use.
• All fabric and materials for the project are included.
• Soft drinks/biscuits included.

Other points to note:

• Finger guards will be fitted to the sewing machines which prevent fingers getting too close to the sewing needle
• I have an up to date DBS check

Other points to note:

• There will be a selection of fabrics to choose from. Alternatively if you would prefer to supply your own fabric just let me know and I can give you the dimensions.

Cost £25 

Beginners Sewing Class

• Janome sewing machines and basic sewing tools provided to use
• A selection of fabrics and threads will be available for you to choose from for the project. If you would prefer to bring your own fabric then please see details below
• Handout with instructions to repeat the project at home will be emailed after the class
• Tea/coffee

• Fabric

• Matching thread

Bookings

Learn to sew a dress in a day –

The Tilly and the Buttons Lotta dress

• Sewing pattern – Tilly and the Buttons Lotta dress pattern worth £15.50 - this will be sent to you in advance for a small amount of pre workshop preparation.
• Tea/coffee/soft drinks
• Use of Janome sewing machines
• All sewing tools provided for you to use in order to complete the project

• Lunch - please bring your own or feel free to pop into Knowle to get some lunch from the local shop/cafe.
• Materials for dress project to include fabric, matching thread, interfacing (for woven version), your waist measurement in 1cm wide elastic. You will be advised on how much fabric to bring and what sort of fabric to choose prior to the course.
• If you would like to use your overlocker too either finish off the seams on the woven dress or use it to sew up the stretchy version then feel free to bring it along.
• Suggested fabrics:
• Woven version - light to medium weight drapey fabric (nothing too stiff) like chambray, viscose, rayon, gingham, tencel, double guaze, cotton lawn, linen.
• Stretchy version: - single knit jersey, stretch velvet, light weight French Terry.

Cost: £120

Learn to sew a pair of pyjama trousers

Learn to sew a pair of pyjama trousers in this 2 part sewing course.

It is an ideal first dressmaking project or for those that haven’t sewn following a pattern before.

The learn to sew a pair of pyjama trousers class will be run over 2 sessions. You must be able to attend both dates to complete the workshop.

Tuesday 11th October 2022 10-12.30pm 

Tuesday 18th October 2022 10-12.30pm 

LOCATION:

This workshop will take place at the All About The Sew sewing studio in Knowle, Solihull. For further info on the studio see here.

The 2 part class will use the Tilly and the Buttons Jaimie pyjama trouser pattern.

“Jaimie is an ideal first sewing project for newbies, or a quick and satisfying make for existing stitch addicts. Choose between full-length pyjama bottoms or flirty boyfriend shorts, with optional drawstring detail. The low-rise, elasticated waist and relaxed-fit leg make these PJs oh so comfy to wear. You’ll never want to get dressed when you’re wearing your Jaimie jammies!” (taken from the Tilly and the Buttons website)

You will learn how to:

• Take essential body measurements and select your pattern size
• Identify pattern pieces required
• Lengthen/shorten pattern pieces if required
• Accurately cut out pattern pieces
• Sew an elasticated waistband
• Identify the grainline of the fabric and lay out pattern pieces correctly
• Follow a commercial sewing pattern
• Sew automatic buttonholes (this is an optional extra for the drawstring version. If you want to keep it simple leave those out)

For more confident sewists, there is an option to add in seam pockets.

What is included:

• Paper pattern and step by step instruction booklet worth £13.00 (this will be sent to you prior to the workshop).
• Full tuition in order to make your garment

Pattern sizing

The Jaimie sewing pattern is sized between UK sizes 4-24. Size 4 is an XS size which is perfect for tweens and teenagers. Tilly and the Buttons have also added  sizes 9 and 10 to several of their patterns (UK 22 and 24), increasing their size range even further.

For a larger image of the sizing chart please see here.

You will need to measure yourself in order to know how much fabric to get. You cannot compare to high street sizes. Please get in touch if you are uncertain.

You will need to measure your waist, hip and inside leg. Please refer to my blog post on measuring yourself accurately for help with the waist and hip measurements.

You will need to get:

• Fabric

Shorts:

For 115cm/45″ wide fabrics you will need 1m for all sizes

For 150cm/60″ wide fabrics you will need 1m for all sizes

Trousers:

For 115cm/45″ wide fabrics you will need 2.5m for all sizes

For 150cm/60″ wide fabrics, Sizes 0-3: 1.7m, Sizes 4-6: 2.1m, Sizes 7-10: 2.5m

• 25mm (1″) wide elastic – the length of your low waist measurement (where your shorts or pyjamas are likely to sit) – this is available to buy in the studio
• For the drawstring version you will need either ribbon/cord or some of your main fabric to make the drawstring.
• Optional – trim to go round the bottom of the shorts or trousers e.g. ric rac, ribbon, pom poms

Fabric suggestions: 

Light- to medium-weight woven fabrics such as cotton lawn, shirting, “quilting cotton”, flannel, double gauze and viscose (rayon).

Please give me a call if you are in any doubt about fabric choices or suggestions of where to buy from.

It is recommended to pre wash your fabric before the workshop as it is likely to shrink a little in the first wash.

Cost £70

Lorna says:

” We all need pyjamas and how amazing to make your own where you can choose just the right fabric you like and make them to fit you. Whether you need to make them shorter or longer, with pockets, shorts….anything is possible! I love my Jaimie pyjama trousers and have made several pairs of shorts for teenagers including one pair that uses mix and match fat quarters.”

Bookings